Two top fuel dragsters will rev up their engines and lead a
parade of muscle cars down Main in Frankenmuth to kick off the festival's Big
Block Party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6.

The Big Block Party started 13 years ago. It stretches
from Jefferson to Genesee, with 1,700 cars parked on Main and more cars on the
side streets.

Ten bands are scheduled to play during the party on Main,
along with a doo-wop group, Full Throttle, playing at Heritage Park.
Frankenmuth High School students will also walk around and sing World War II
songs to honor military service personnel.

"It is safe, friendly and people can walk around," Compton
said. "It's a family event with stuff for kids and adults to do.

"The colors of the
cars makes it a festive event."

During the weekend, buses will make rounds from
downtown to the park, so "people don't have to stay in the park, there's stuff
to do all over town."

"We try to keep it fresh," Compton said, by bringing in
water car shows by the Silver Lake Ski Club and Amphi cars over the years.

"But our guests have said that the show is going great."

All the proceeds from the weekend will be donated to the
Michigan's Own Military Museum, a nonprofit museum dedicated to Michigan's
veterans. In previous years, the Frankenmuth Auto Fest donated to Covenant
HealthCare and helped purchase a retinal eye machine, neo-natal monitor for a
helicopter and McNally House's dining area.

Every year, organizers donate to Frankenmuth High School for
band and scholarship programs. In the past eight years, Auto Fest has donated $1.2 million to
various groups.

"Our goal is to collect $1 from everybody on the street on
Friday night," Compton said.

On Saturday, Frankenmuth High School students will sell
tickets for a 50/50 raffle in the park that benefits the Frankenmuth Athletics Association.

More than 2,400 cars are expected to register from as far
away as Odessa, Texas, and Omaha, Neb. Thirty years ago, the Frankenmuth Auto
Fest started out behind St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth with 83
cars.

"Car people like car shows, and if they hear about a good
show, they'll go," Compton said.

Main Street will be closed at 4:30 p.m. Friday,
Sept. 6, for cars to park for the Big Block party. The road will open after
the parade at 5 p.m.

Spectator admission costs $4 for
adult or $6 for a three-day pass. Admission is free for children 12 and younger.

Food vendors at the festival are managed by service groups
such as the Frankenmuth Rotary Club, the Athletic Association, Lions Club and
V.F.W. More than 350 volunteers are donating time to help
with parking, set-up and clean-up.

"I can't stress enough to drop off a buck in the canisters,"
Compton said.

Schedule of events

Friday, Sept. 6

8 a.m. Heritage Park opens and Lions Club pancake breakfast

5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Big Block Party with fireworks

Saturday, Sept. 7

7 a.m. Heritage Park opens

7:30 a.m. Lions Club pancake breakfast

1 p.m. Silver Lake Ski Club and Amphi cars

5 p.m. Music and dance hall opens with Phil Dirt and the
Dozers and "Lookin' Back" tribute to Bob Seger